Problems with 1999 Chevrolet Malibu SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

On august 30,2002 i was in a curve and applied the brakes and upon braking the car slid and was uncontrollable. this was the third time that this happened. the first two times i took the car to the dealership and was told that there was nothing wrong. after the accident on the third time a mechanic looked at the car and told me that the rotors and drums were out of round and should have been replaced. the car only had 41000 miles on it and had already had the rotors replaced twice. *jb

front brake rotors causing extended stopping distance. rotors have been replaced 3 times prior to the incident. manufacturer has been notified. please provide additional information.*ak

Gm disregarded all complaints. even told me they would not answer any more questions. brakes are still a problem. uneven wear, pulling, stiffening in rainy weather, warning light coming on. gm refuses to even attempt to fix.

Abs light is on because sensor has broken in half. *ak the abs light illuminates intermittently. when taken to the dealer after shutting the engine off and turning it back on, the mecahnic informed consumer nothing could be tested because the engine was shut off. consumer stopped to see another mechanic and this time the vehicle was deemed inoperable because the front wheel sensor was broken in half. *jg

While traveling on highway and without prior warning brakes went out. master cylinder broke/ intake gasket failed, and oil and coolant had mixed together.*ak

Chevrolet malibu ls 1999, front end loose, replaced 2 bolts. *bf while driving the entire steering rack cracked for no reason. less than a year later, the engine cradle rack came apart from the frame of the vehicle. the front brakes, lower intake gasket and water pump were all replaced. the abs and power steering pressure hose was replaced. the brake light bulbs had burned out. *jb

There's a hole in cylinder, which makes vehicle hard to drive.*ak

Consumer states the vehicle would vibrate when braking, dealer notified. feel free to provide any further information.*jb

Dt: chevrolet, malibu 1999, vehicle had brake problem. consumer took vehicle to the dealer four times over the life of the car. dealer told the consumer that the vehicle had warped rotors. dealer fixed the brakes four times at the consumer's expense, gm denied the problem. the first time the brakes only lasted until 43, 000 miles. the second until 71000 miles, the third time until 79000 miles, and the forth time until 91500 miles. *ak there have been numerous reports of this same defect. *sc *jb

Rotors and pads get warped, causing vehicle to shimmy. braking hard will not slow vehicle down, increasing stopping distances does not help to slow vehicle for a stop. dealer was notified, problem progressed within 4,000 miles.*ak steering column vibrates and visibly moves when braking at highway speeds, this causes vehicle to move uncontrollably. *slc

Two-fifths of inboard pad was missing from the metal plate and appeared not to have been bonded to the plate as the metal appeared corroded in the area where the pad should have been bonded to the plate. the dealership is contacting the zone representative who is to inspect the pad and plate on february 28th. the pads were worn but not to the point that the wear indicator touched the rotors. therefore, the only warning we had of a brake problem was an unusual noise coming from the right front wheel during brake applications, and only then after driving the vehicle for a few miles.*ak

Had coolant/oil leaking from valve cover/ intake manifold. dealer replaced all 5 gaskets, oil and coolant. only have 31,000 miles on the car. also had resistor for fan control changed. blower would not operate in position 1 or 2. one month ago in january, had transmission cooling leak. dealer said it was "transmission internal wiring harness connector" leaking when i told them it was cooling line. invoice shows changed harness, which i couldnt tell it was new because it was dirty, and changed gasket in cooling line. at same time had a/c blower control unit replaced. ive had probelms with this vehicle since i bought it. tires were "cupped" after first rotation. dearler replaced 2 front tires under warranty. now i have a problem with tires/wheels after each rotation when rear wheels are put up front. said problem might be alignment, which is not covered under warranty. also have had horn repaired due to inop. dealer found wiring harness wasn't connected. had control switch changed on power drivers seat. drivers seat moves back/forth slightly when braking/accelerating. passenger-side airbag was replaced due to "squeaking" when hitting bumps in the road. had battery replaced due to acid leak eating off positive terminal. had to leave car overnight at work brakes are due replacement due to "brake fade". car is total disapointment. would trade it in, but i owe more than vehicle is worth.

While coming to a gradual stop abs brakes failed to stop vehicle. consumer used emergecy brake to stop, dealer has been contacted.*ak

3/8/00~turned rotors new pads 12/15/00~new rotors new pads~11/18/01 turned rotors new pads. *ak

Brakes started making noise and became sluggish while driving, dealer machined the rotors and the pads. *yh

Vehicle was in for service on 7-30-2001 and brakes were fine. on 24 nov 2001, while driving 30 mph and applying brakes, vehicle was shaking and brakes were pulsating. vehicle was towed to dealer, no brake pads were left and rotors had to be turned. *ak

Brake pads replaced 10/00, failed 2/10, replaced pads and rotors2/01. car was returned to repair shop 3-4 times because i felt the brakes were not working correctly. i was told that they were normal every time. brakes locked up when i was driving 11/01. back to shop at which time i had no front brakes. they replaced pads again. took car to chevrolet, 11/01 for brake inspection. i was told everything was fine. brake lights now come on. brakes skip when applied and the rear brakes are now making clicking noise when applied and sometimes when released the brakes stick. took car back to chevrolet , 11/01 and was told that my rear brakes are hanging up. keep in mind that 2 weeks ago i was told that my rear brakes were fine. they did not have an explaination for the brake problem i have been having. i was told that the malibu does have a braking problem, but usually is fixed after the brakes are replaced once. i've had this car for 12 months and have put about 16,000 miles on it. i've gone through 3 sets of pads and and the rotars have been replaced once. most recent repair was about 2 weeks ago and i am now having more problems than i had before the repair. *ak

There is vibration when applying brake at any speed, front rotors have been replaced twice.*jb

Purchased vehicle 5/04/01. had to return 2 days later for melted brake light sockets on left rear. bulbs were replaced. melted again within 3 weeks. went back to dealer, was told they couldn't check it they were too busy. made appointment to have fixed. they replaced bulbs and reworked socket but it still failed. they said that there is nothing else they can do. i have replaced bulbs on average every 2-3 weeks. i think they have an electrical short causing the bulbs to melt the sockets. now the turn signal and back-up lights are starting to melt. the interior dome light also works sporadically. front brakes shudder when applied and have been replaced, rotors were cut. still having shudder and extended stopping distances.*ak

The rotors on my 1999 chevrolet malibu have to be replaced at least once every 6 months. i have spoke with many malibu owners and they have the same problem as i do. so why is there no recall on this problem? *ak

Brakes started making a dragging noise. took to dealer,and they replaced rotors/calipers and brake pad. *ak

Abs warning light intermittent at starting of engine. *ak

Front brakes are not up to the job for this car. dealer has no fix except to keep replacing parts . gm should come up with a solution and fix these cars.*ak

I have had nothing but problems with the brake system in my 1999 chevrolet malibu. replaced calipers, bearings,rotors,of course pads. now my abs light comes on and off (idiot light) also the gas gauge malfunctions when it gets to 1\4 tank also my climate control fan won't work on the 1st 3 speeds. *nlm

Consumer states while driving after engine is warm, engine will shut off nothing works but the radio. vehicle has to be put in park to restart. engine will not turn over the first few times after problem occurs. vehicle also stalled out when under 30 mph. dealer unable to duplicate concern. *tt

Vehicle shakes and vibrates when brakes are applied. also, stopping distance has increased. front brake pads were being replaced too often from wear and tear. dealer was notified, and problem still exists. also, rear brake cylinders are starting to leak, and problem became worse. *ak

They have replaced the rotor twice (at 15k and 32k miles) and it continues to warp after 10-15k miles. service manager states it is a widespread problem but chevrolet will not take responsibility.*ak

Front rotors warped at 23,000 miles so badly they could not be machined and had to be replaced. dealer acknowledged this is a common problem on 1999 malibus, and that gmc changed rotor design in 2000, but indicated gm would not cover under warrenty (stated rotors subject to 12 mo/12k mile warrenty limit).*ak

Front brake pads wore out and rotors warped at 15,000 & 32,000 miles.*ak

Brake pads didn't wear evenly, noticable difference on upon comparison. dealership said this was normal since both sides wore the same. took to independent mechanic and he stated this wasn't normal wear. the front side of the pad was completely wore out and the back side had more than 60 % remaining wear. how can this be normal? the slides are not distributing the pressure evenly and therefore the pads are wearing unevenly. i feel this is a manufacturing defect. please help!!!! thank you. *ak

When applying brakes vehicle vibrates and shakes without prior warning. dealership is aware of problem. *ak

Brake rotors and pads had to be replaced at 14,000 miles. vibrations even though rotors/pads replaced. currently at 36,000 miles. also had loud noises when brakes first applied at cold start. *tt

I brought my chervolet malibu on 16 october 1999 it had 24,000 miles on it. around march of 2000 i noticed that the brake was going soft , making squelling noises, shimmey,and shake when coming to a stop. i took in to the dealership they said they would replace the rotors and brake pads for free due to a program they had. the brakes were ok when i picked the car up but they never really seemed all very sharp to me. whenever i braked i had to start early to make sure my malibu came to a complete stop. that was march then less then two months later in may 2000 when my car had 38,000 miles the rotors gave out again. i took it to lynn layton chervolet they said my rotors had warped again. grudgedly they replaced my rotors and brake pads again. but they said the next time they would charge me. "as through i wanted them to put defective rotors on my car." now about a year late with an additional 14,000 miles my rotors have given out again. i was told by a mechanic that my rotors are supposed to last about 60,000 mile. when i get them fixed again it will have replaced my rotors and brake pads three times over a period of 19 months and 27,000 miles since i brought my care with 24,000 miles on it this is crazy. that averages replacing rotors and brakes pads once every 8000 miles!!!!!! are there any plans to do a recall or something to force gm to fix this major brake problem *****defective rotors. thank you... regina gamble. *ak

Third set of brakes & rotors in 30,000 miles, (car shakes or grinds each time) at other dealer i was told to expect it to happen again in another 10-15,000 miles only that it won't be under warranty next time. 1st time dealer replaced, 2nd time went to local garage because dealer wouldn't do it for free, 3rd time dealer replaced everything again and no charge. when i asked why it was no charge they indicated the following. (different dealership)this time tie rod was damaged and needed to be replaced as well. the dealer said the brakes themselves are not defective, it's just that the car is too heavy and works the brakes harder. the mechanic tried to convince me that it was the way i drive, but another person who works at the dealership stated to hime that she has a 98 malibu and stated she is on her 4th set already. she also mentioned something about a bulletin. i call the chevy 800 number and made a report, but they said nothing will happen. they just put the info in the computer. no person will call, no person available to speak to. no remedy to the sitaution. i would like to be reimbursed for the second repair and want to know if a remedy will soon be available as i did not want a car that has a severe brake problem and don't believe it is fair to say that they will cover it, but only up to the warranty period. if that is the case i would like to return the car and get my money back. i'll be hard pressed to buy another chevy again after this experience. i am seeking out an attorney to explore my options with respect to the lemon laws. *ak

Intermittenly when applying brakes, vehicle will not stop, consumer has to apply harder and pump brakes. contacted dealer and had brakes repaired but problem still exists.*jb consumer stated that the dealer replaced master cylinder and pad as a possible solution to the problem. *yh

Brake replaced at low milage, rechecked 2 weeks ago for problems. *ak

Front end noise when applying brakes. at high speeds (50 mph+) serious shaking and vibrating of the front end occurred. rf caliper locked onto warped rotor. problem with rotors were experienced from day one. i've encountered others who have had similar problems with warped rotors on the malibu. emergency repair and replacement of calipers, front disc brakes and right front rotor was done at a non-warranty facility as this incident happened while travelling and the local chevrolet dealer service dept was not opened on a saturday.*ak

Front end was making a grinding noise and it wouldn't stop right away. dealer both rotors would need to be replaced although one side seemed to be affected. dealers had no reseasonable explanation for problem. *ak one of the rotors ( the left side) was determind to be bad. also, the wiper blades scrub the windshield all the time and became worse when new ones were replaced. *yh

Windshield: whistles while driving at high speeds. taken in for repairs numerous times and told that mechanic doesn't hear anything wrong. ongoing problem. brakes: need to be replaced every year. car seems to chew them up. replaced with high quality brakes from auto zone. lifetime guarantee, and replaced by myself. transmission: when car goes from reverse into drive, car revs up as if in neutral. finally kicks into gear, but is jerky for about 5 minutes afterwards.

Consumer had to have front rotors replaced twice since purchase of vehicle 13 months ago, mechanic said rotors were made so thin they were not able to turn them. rotors were lasting 3 to 4 months, 3000-5000 miles. vehicle would vibrate and shake when apllying brakes. *ak

When applying brakes vehicle will shake and vibrate all over. vehicle had brakes replaced three times.*ak

The front brakes have been repaired at 20,150 miles, 29,853 miles, 44,379 miles, and 60,000 miles. the consumer has contacted chevrolet who stated there was nothing that could be done. *ak the left and right front wheel bearings were replaced and the upper bearing strut plate was also replaced. *ph *nlm

Abs light came on. i called dealership and was told that it was ok that it happened, and to make an appointment with my local chevy dealership for fixing. (dealership i purchased car from is not a chevy dealer). when i phoned trecek chev. in portage i made an appointment for the following wed. (all this was done from car phone). i also asked trecek auto in portage about the light, they said it was nothing to be concerned about. as i was driving i was all over the road. i was only going about 20 mph. my brake light would not go off but they told me that it wasn't something to be concerned about. as the driving conditions got worse i slowed up even more and pulled over to the side of the road then continued on. when the rear end of the car swerved and i almost lost control at 20 mph i then pulled over and called for a tow truck. a lady was following me and stopped. she then told me that my back rear passenger tire/wheel was not turning. when the wrecker came to tow me the wheel still was not turning. when it was unloaded off the flat bed at trecek chev. in portage, wi it still was not turning although the abs light had gone off. i then proceeded to speak with the service manager who in turn went out to my car and drove it to the front door and told me that i could take it home, there was nothing wrong with it. he was not very polite and did not even look at the car. i need to know what i can do. i'm afraid that this will happen again. *ak

I was driving down the road and the abs light came on and began to loose control of car. i called gordie boucher on my cell phone to determine what to do about the abs light. i was told to phone my chevrolet dealer and make an appt. to have it fixed. i phoned trecek chev. in portage, wi and i was told that i could not get my car in until the next wed. but it wouldn't hurt to drive it. i continued to drive (approx. 10-15 miles per hour and the car started loosing control and went all over the road and almost went down an embankment. i stopped the car!!! a lady that was following me told me that my back wheels were not turning. at that time i phoned trecek chev. again and told them i would be having it towed in to them. when the tow truck arrived the light was still on and the wheels were still locked up and dragging. upon arrival at trecek chev. the tow driver tested the car as he unloaded it. the light was still on and the wheels were still not turning. i went in and filled paperwork out. the service manager went out to get the vin number out of the car. upon walking back in he was very disrespectful (i am assuming he seen that i had just purchased the car a couple of days before and not from them). he told me there was nothing wrong with my car and he had pulled it up to the entrance door and i could take it home. he said the light wasn't on and the wheel was turning. he also told me that when there is snow i should put the car in a heated garage to melt it from my wheels. upon leaving i asked who was paying for the towing charges and he said he would take care of that. today i find out my car is making a horrible noise and both front and back brakes/rotors, etc. are very bad. it seems that there has been some kind of malfunction wearing on my brakes. when contacting the chevrolet assistance i was told that trecek chevrolet had put in a bill to them ...

While driving and when brakes are applied vehicle will vibrate due to bad brake rotors. replaced parts, problem reoccurred. dealer contacted.*ak the consumer believed the rotor problem was due to manufacturing defect. *yh

Consumer was traveling in traffic and a truck in front suddenly stopped. rear ended truck because brakes were not grabbing or holding. surface of brakes was warped and pulsated. vehicle sustained $8500.00 worth of damage. brakes were defective from maufacturer. *ak

While driving the abs/brake light comes on intermittently. had looked at said nothing wrong. had accident because brakes would not work properly. have to push brake pedal almost all way down to get car to stop. do not get pulsating feeling on brake when hit hard indicating abs is working. having it looked at again, now that car has been wrecked they seem to be more interested.

Calipers will rip out pads, it starts with a grinding noise. consumer had to replaces pads/ rotors and calipers 3 times. *ak the consumer points out that three time failures of brake system at under 16000 miles was unusual. *yh

Brakes pulsating due to warped rotor, the warped rotor caused the brakes to wear down and the dealer replaced the brakes and the rotor, consumer request reimbursement. *slc

At 7000mls steering wheel would shudder and rotors were recut and pads resurfaced. at 17000mls rotors were replaced. at 27000mls car is being taken in for front brakes squeeking and grind of front rotors. *ak